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New Cisco CCNP Routing and Switching Exam

It was only a matter of time until Cisco changed the CCNP Routing and Switching certification. With the CCNA and CCIE revised, the CCNP was a matter of “when”. The last day to take the CCNPv1 exams will be on January 29th, 2015.

Do you already have some CCNPv1 exams under your belt? You can mix and match and still obtain the CCNP certification. Cisco published this CCNP Exam Combination Tool which helps you determine which combination of exams are required to complete your CCNP.

The CCNP exam changes, in my opinion, are good. The objectives are clear and it appears they have removed those “Planning..” objectives. With the new CCNPv2 changes we get concrete objectives. You know exactly what you’re being tested on. The type of objectives you see in version 2 are “Configure and Verify”, “Troubleshoot”, or “Explain/Describe”.

It’s possible they decided to move the version 1 objectives of “Implementation Plan” and “Verification Plan” to the Design track.

Is the CCNP Routing and Switching Exam Worth It?

Yes it is. CCNPv1 had vague objectives. The new changes to CCNP Routing and Switching have clear objectives. There are no longer any planning and verification plan objectives.

Cisco Press plans on coming out with updated training material later this year. With the clear objectives you could begin studying with a physical/virtual lab and some simple searching on Cisco’s site for docs.

Will you be studying for the new CCNP Routing and Switching certification?